Vintage Virat Kohli and clinical Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets to register their third victory of the Indian Premier League 2020 at the Sheik Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Both Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal hit fantastic fifties to help their team register an easy win against Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals. Kohli not only notched up his first fifty of the season but also his 37 IPL fifty.

Winning the toss, Steve Smith elected to bat, a decision which failed to pay dividends. Smith and Sanju Samson were dismissed early by Isuru Udana and Chahal respectively. Following which Jos Buttler (22) followed suit and RR lost their three big guns inside the first six overs.

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The RCB bowlers were breathing fire early on in the match, not allowing the opposition to free their arms and score as they want to. The top and middle order of RR could not score runs, except for a lone warrior – Mahipal Lomor. The left-handed batsman looked ominous after spending some time in the middle. But as he neared his maiden IPL fifty, he was foxed by Yuzevndra Chahal. He departed three runs short of the landmark.

Rahul Tewatia and Jofra Archer added some valuable runs in the death overs to help their team cross the 150-run mark.

In reply, RCB lost Aaron Finch early and RR thought they could turn the match in their favour. However, Padikkal and Kohli had other ideas.

The 20-year-old Padikkal played shots with ease and hit boundaries at will. He was ably supported by captain Kohli, who himself was in top form. Clubbing the bowlers all over the ground, coupled with quick singles and doubles, RR were never in the game.

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Padikkal departed shortly after his fifty and with Kohli and AB de Villiers at the helm, RCB won the tie rather easily. En route his 37th IPL fifty, vintage Kohli was seen at Sheik Zayed Stadium as he played shots with utmost accuracy and immaculate timing.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who finished the match with figures of 3/24 from his stipulated four over, was adjudged Man of the Match.